Hi there! I recently bought an '03 Dodge Ram 2500 slt/Laramie with the 5.7 L V8 Hemi. It's got the tow package complete with trailer brakes, 4WD, and just turned over 226k miles, got it @ 218k miles and have done regular oil changes. It was the only full size 3/4 ton truck I could find and I NEEDED one for towing and work. However, while I was pulling my 7200 pound camper in tow/haul, I noticed I'm losing speed on any kind of grade, and I'm not over the max payload, and even when I kick it down at over 4500 RPMs I still lose speed. The lifters got a little bit of click, and I have plugs ready to throw in it. Will new plugs fix this problem? Or is there something else I don't know about these engines in losing power over time?
You can do the basics yourself:
inspect air filter, spark plugs, etc.
have a mechanic hook up a scope, and run some diagnostics on it to learn more
- fuel pressure test
- cylinder compress test
- fuel trims
- ignition timing
- fuel injector test.
etc.
I recently did the air filter, I suppose I forgot to mention that when I try to start it, it really has a heck of a time firing up, on one occasion even stalled out on me going from reverse to drive. But yes, I haven't checked the plugs yet which I need to do, gonna pop those out tomorrow if I don't rained on again. This is my first experience with a Hemi engine and coil packs. Hoping it isn't a compression issue.
Oh, one more thing I forgot, I did get a check engine light, took it in for diagnostics and it threw a code for vacuum, it came with an aftermarket locking gas cap but it did have the original, changed that out for the original and engine light never shut off. Thanks again for the help!
if you can provide the whole diag result (code and description) that would be great.
It's beginning to sound like a bad fuel pump.
Can do! I'll stop by my buddy's shop tomorrow and slap it on. I'll get it back to you then. They're nice guys there but it's just an auto salvage yard so they don't know much technically. Thanks again bud. I'll let ya know.